After forty years of faithful service at SMMM, Leah Bowers was called home by her Lord on Wednesday evening, November 11. Her husband, Dick, and three children were at her side as she peacefully slipped away.
Leah had valiantly battled cancer for nearly eight years, maintaining a wonderful spirit and positive testimony through the trials of the disease, right up to the end.
Leah and Dick came to the mission in 1969 and she served in many capacities over the years, but her first love and greatest contribution came in the area of music. A trained musician, Leah began piano lessons at age four and her training continued through school years and college at Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was there that she met Dick as she was playing her flute and he was playing saxophone.
The Bowers were married after graduating, moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Leah had been born, and were involved in the music ministry in their church. A man from Knott County, who had moved north, told them about Camp Nathanael and they came for a visit during our Family Week. Shortly after, they felt the Lord calling them to become a part of the ministry here.
They arrived in 1969 with their son, Richard, who was two years old. Bonnie, Timo and Bethany were later added to the family. As the children grew they all participated in the family’s music ministry, singing and playing various instruments. Bethany developed a very serious illness as a young adult, and after several years of treatments and hospitalizations passed away at age 25. It was shortly after going through that difficult period in their lives that Leah was diagnosed with cancer.
Leah and Dick were part of our high school team for many years with Dennis Cline and Bob Murr, presenting assembly programs in area schools. Leah gave piano lessons to literally hundreds of people, both children and adults. She served in music ministry at the Little Carr Bible Church and also at Calvary Christian Academy and Bethel Christian Academy. Many of her students participated in state and national Christian school competitions and always excelled. Leah was also involved in Bible teaching at Camp Nathanael, and in her last few years was part of a jail ministry in Hazard. Just this past July, she was able to participate in our Family Week, taking her place at the keyboard and singing with Dick and the family.
Leah’s musical abilities, love for the Lord and sweet spirit will be greatly missed. In addition to Dick, Richard, Bonnie and Timo she is survived by five grandchildren, four sisters and a brother. Following the funeral service at Hindman First Baptist Church she was laid to rest next to Bethany at the Camp Nathanael cemetery.